Chapter 1236

"I..." Shanley remained frozen on one knee, holding the ring out, staring up at the girl he loved.

He had rehearsed this exact moment countless times in private. He'd even made Flint stand in as the female lead just to ensure the pacing was right. Everything had gone flawlessly.

So why, now that he was finally looking into Juniper's eyes, could he not form a single coherent sentence?

"I..." Shanley gripped the box, feeling as if someone had poured wet cement down his throat.

Speak! Just speak!

"Pfft—" Seeing Shanley malfunction, Luella couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Look at Mr. Schwartz! He's acting like a nervous teenager who forgot how to use words!"

The rest of the group exchanged amused, knowing looks. For such a ruthless corporate titan, this was pretty embarrassing.

"Hey, if you can't get the words out, I can propose for you!" Luella teased loudly. "Juniper might just become my wife instead!"

Shanley snapped his head toward her, looking entirely ready to murder Luella on the spot. He took a deep, shaky breath, turning his attention back to Juniper. "Juniper..."

"I accept." Juniper looked at him calmly, a soft smile blooming on her face as she extended her left hand. "Put it on."

Her siblings: "?"

Her friends: "??"

Wait, what? The fox hadn't even managed to say a single romantic word, and she was already saying yes?! Just like that?!

Melvin was still holding up his phone, trying to record the embarrassing moment to blackmail Shanley later. His sister was way too eager!

Ebony Fox looked up at the sky and let out an exasperated chuckle. Unbelievable.

"Huh?" Shanley blinked, totally derailed by how smoothly it had just gone.

"Weren't you trying to propose?"

"Yes," Shanley nodded dumbly.

"Right, and I said yes."

It was that simple.

Shanley knelt there, his brain short-circuiting from the massive emotional whiplash.

"Are you going to put the ring on me or not?" Juniper frowned slightly. "If not, I'm leaving."

"I am!" Terrified she might actually walk away, Shanley grabbed her hand, his fingers trembling as he slipped the ring on. He was rushing. so much he almost put it on the wrong finger.

"Hold on!" Seeing the sly fox get the girl so effortlessly, Melvin jumped up in protest.

"This is way too rushed! Juniper, you have to at least hear his speech!"

"I don't need to. I already know what it is," Juniper replied. Besides, the man was sweating bullets and practically hyperventilating. If they dragged this out any longer, the food would go cold.

"How could you possibly know?" Melvin huffed, crossing his arms. Shanley had been preparing this for ages. There was no way he'd let Juniper find out beforehand, let alone leak the vows. Juniper just wanted to marry him so badly she was willing to skip the romance!

"You are my unexpected encounter, the sudden joy of my life," Juniper recited slowly, her voice clear and melodic.

As the first line hung in the air, the onlookers gasped, and Shanley's eyes widened in sheer horror.

How did she know?! He swore he had kept it entirely under wraps!

"You are my greatest gift, my overdue salvation. You are the only one who makes my heart race. You are irreplaceable," Juniper continued, ignoring the collective shock in the room.

"Roses wither, but my love for you is eternal. Something along those lines, right?"

Having flawlessly delivered the speech, she offered Melvin a serene smile. "How do

I know, you ask? Telepathy, I suppose!"

Telepathy, my foot! Melvin thought. That sly fox must have been so nervous he accidentally showed her the cue cards.

Whatever. The process didn't matter, the result was the same. His precious little sister had been officially claimed.